Sen. Kelly's bipartisan bill would fund food delivery to rural, homebound older adults nationwide

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) introduced a bipartisan bill that would help deliver food boxes to low-income seniors in rural parts of the country.

The bill would provide funding to help food pantries and other organizations deliver boxes directly to rural seniors.

Milt Liu, the president and CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank, said they established a similar program during the pandemic.

“Even after COVID, many seniors were not able to access the food bank. And so we've developed this home delivery program. You know, we do over 7,000 deliveries every month," Liu said.

Kelly’s bill would establish a delivery program for adults over the age of 60 who are eligible for nutrition assistance but can’t reliably get to a pickup site.

“This would allow existing food pantries to add this service, this capability that they don't have today.”

In Arizona, 12% of households with seniors face food insecurity, which is higher than the national average, according to the Arizona Food Bank Network.

“Too many seniors, especially in rural communities in Arizona and across the country, are eligible for nutrition assistance but can’t reliably get to a pickup site. This bill will help close that gap,” said Kelly in a statement.

“By supporting local partners who are willing and able to deliver food directly to seniors’ doors, we can help older Americans stay healthy and independent in their own homes, especially as costs continue to rise. Geography shouldn’t be the difference between getting help and going without.”